Provost and executive vice president selected

University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce has named Dr. Mark Richards provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The appointment is effective July 1, 2018.

Richards, a geophysicist, is a professor of Earth and planetary science at the University of California, Berkeley, where he previously served as dean of mathematical and physical sciences from 2002 to 2014, and simultaneously as executive dean of the College of Letters and Science from 2006 to 2014.

“Our University is gaining an outstanding academic leader. Mark has a deep appreciation for the role public universities play in providing access to an excellent education for students from all backgrounds,” Cauce said.

Richards will succeed Gerald Baldasty, a longtime UW faculty member and administrator, who is retiring as provost and executive vice president on June 30.

Campus presentation

Finalists for the position visited the University of Washington campus in the fall of 2017. Watch Mark Richards’ presentation to the campus community.

Search background

UW President Ana Mari Cauce in May 2017 launched a national search for the position, which is the University’s chief academic and budgetary officer and leader. A search advisory committee was selected to identify and recommend candidates, and the UW engaged Parker Executive Search to assist in recruiting efforts. Members of the UW community also were invited to identify candidates. The president’s search advisory identified five finalists for the position, all of which visited the University of Washington campus. Faculty, staff and students were invited to attend candidates’ presentations in person or via live streaming and submit feedback to the search committee.